Slornow and Wannabefaster's Winter Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 4)

I was fit using that system! It was pretty neat.  The reason they fit me for the high bars was that they didn't want the fit to be "too aggressive" for my first Tri Fit and especially since I was planning for an Iron Distance on this bike. He told me he wanted to make it as comfortable as possible for that distance. 

However, when I did the fit on the Retul system, it was for generic fitting and he just put a pair of the aerobars with the sort of "J" slope at the end on (Those felt fine). After the fit, they ordered the P2 for me from their store in a neighboring town and adjusted it based on the Retul measurements.  I guess they didn't anticipate that the bike they got for me came with stock bars of that "S" bend instead of the "J" bend that I had been fit with. When I came to pick it up they stuck me on it for 5 minutes and said "How does it feel?" I answered honestly and said it felt great! Well I guess it feels fine after only 5 minutes of "fit", but I really feel it in my wrists after a good 15 minutes or so in aero. Unfortunately I didn't find this out until i got home that evening and tested it out on my trainer.

Should I go back and ask for a better fitting of those bars? I'm thinking I can try to lengthen the bars out further from my body in order for a better fit, but wanted to ask the gurus on this forum before I tried messing with anything.

Thanks for the advice so far, Rene!!

-Nate

I would go back to the shop and get adjusted what needs to be adjusted. If they need to change the aero bars so be it. I assume you paid some good money for the bike and the fit.

Very good point, I think I'll do that once we get back home from vacation!

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I'll go back and get those bars re-fit. If they are still uncomfortable, I'll spring for the "J" type bars that I originally got fit with. Hopefully, we can get the current bars working with some adjustments to keep costs down!

Rene, I got the trainer a few months ago, but have only used my road bike on it until now. I agree with your advice on the towels and the fan! Right now, my girlfriend has tolerated me having the trainer in the living room with the TV, so I don't need the laptop quite yet.  Once the garage gets cleaned out, I'm sure I'll be re-located!

They came with the bike. Stock bars, I guess. He didn't offer a different option of bars, so I'm guessing I would need to pay for a different type. Wouldn't hurt to ask though!

wannabefaster - 2012-12-23 2:27 PM I feel a little silly having given swimming drills advice with Stuart here . I think he was/is a pretty elite level swimming guy. Randy and I are admittedly a little lacking in the swim department so you are going to be called upon some to help us out in this area. Stuart, do you have some go-to drills for all of us to use in our swimming?

'Was' is the operative word.  The good part about it is even after all these years my technique is still rock solid.  I guess 5000 yards/day for six years still holds some value.

I do have drills I use for specific needs.  Let me put otgether a quick list tomorrow.  Happy to be a resource for anyone who might find it useful.

Wow, this group moves fast!!  I am gonna have trouble keeping up...

Renee, thanks for the thoughts on the triggerpoint.  I'll give that a try soon. 

Stuart, I think I'd like to try some swim sets.  My swimming is currently sitting at about a 1;45 / 100 average over about 2000 or so yards.  My usual swim workout is to just get in and swim 1500 - 2500 straight depending on the day.  I know I should probably break it up some, but just never do.  (Hmmm, maybe that's why I joined a mentor group...)

I usually just swim too. I know I could use some work on it but am trying to take it one thing at a time.

Renee-I get up at 4:30 for work (I'm actually at work now) and work 10 hour shifts which is why it's hard to schedule multiple workouts a day. On the plus side I have 3 days off every week. On Saturdays, if I don't work, I usually bike and do yoga-I'd like to add a swim too. I feel like I need the yoga to prevent injuries (I didn't do it all summer and now I'm injured). Sundays are for long runs and as I ramp up my training leading to my HM that can take up to 3 hours. I'm very slow. 4 miles took me almost an hour yesterday. The addition day off varies. About every other week I spend traveling (about 6 hours in the car round trip) for various personal reasons. Then there's the time it takes to buy groceries and prepare healthy food for the week. I just feel like I have nothing to spare. I'm not looking to increase my training now but on some level, I know I'm holding myself.

I love how fast this group is moving.

Swim workouts don't need to be complicated to have structure. A 1500 yard/meter session might be broken down as 200 warm up. 300 drill work done as 25 drill/25 swim. 800 main set structured depending on the goal of the session. 200 cool down. That is just a skeleton...you could alternate the drill work with pull sets, do a longer warm up etc.. Mike Plumb, the coach at www.tripower.org posts weekly swim sets on his site...available to anyone. Usually will have 2 options with one being 3-4000 yards and one being 1500-2500 and 3 workouts each week.. When you get to his site go to the "new forum" tab and click it. He also has a post in there on establishing your "base".  

I think there is alot to be gained by breaking up your swim workout. Just getting in and swimming is fine but to improve you have to address any weak points you may have. Focus on one thing at a time. Spend some time working on it and then move on. Don't try to fix everything at once....too much to worry about with each stroke. Challenge yourself in the pool!

Randy   

On the swimming topic...I'm going to try to link a list of top tips for triathlon swimming. I don't agree 100% with everything on the list but would argue there is alot to gain from the list for those with some swimming experience.

http://joelfilliol.blogspot.com/2012/01/most-popular-post-on-this-blog-is-is.html

Hope this helps. I would add...be careful when using paddles...keep them no bigger than the size of your hand.

Randy

My swimming technique is bad. I rely too much on stronger left side. Are there exercises for building up arm/leg strength outside the pool or is it a case of the more swimming repitions you do, the stronger you get?

BTW: Will anyone train on Christmas Day?

Just curious...

I've found my 1st EVER event. It's the Hammer Sprint Duathlon in Lenoir City TN on April 28th. I've quite excited, but pretty scared.

But I can bike and run, so I just want to do it and complete it and feel like I can really DO endurance sport in a race situation.

Paul - There are specific swim trainers that some gyms have like the Vasa trainer but they are usually hard to find. I usually do some lat pull-downs and some work on the rowing machines. Some coaches will tell you that all you need is some resistance bands to put around a pole and mimic the swim motion. Randy posted some links to a coaching session and that was what the coach recommended in those. He can probably re-post those ... 

I am not going to work out on Christmas Day ... that will be the one day where all I am going to do is sit at home with the family and enjoy my time. 

Fantastic!!!  You always remember the first race!!! 

I just did a little googling and found a warmup event for you that benefits a great cause too! 

5k for Team Hoyt  It is in early March.  Might be just the thing to bring down the nerves for the Du in April.  :-)